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2006/12/07
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The Super Bowl half time show is always enjoyed by millions and this year Beyoncé will be performing live at the Mercedes-Benz Superdrome in New Orleans. Furthermore, there have been reports that the singer will be reunited with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, her co-stars in the successful band Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé enjoyed numerous number one hits with the band before she launched her equally successful solo career.
A source close to the singer said that “the Super Bowl is meant to be a reflection of your entire career, where you came from and where you are going.”
As such, according to the source, Beyoncé “wants to show the best in herself and what she still has to offer with the element of the past leading to the future.”
The source went onto say that Beyoncé didn’t feel it was right to occupy one of the world’s largest stages without the presence of her former band with whom she grew “with both professionally in the group and as friends. She would have it no other way and is super excited over the reunion”.
A source close to the singer said that “the Super Bowl is meant to be a reflection of your entire career, where you came from and where you are going.”
As such, according to the source, Beyoncé “wants to show the best in herself and what she still has to offer with the element of the past leading to the future.”
The source went onto say that Beyoncé didn’t feel it was right to occupy one of the world’s largest stages without the presence of her former band with whom she grew “with both professionally in the group and as friends. She would have it no other way and is super excited over the reunion”.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The online gambling industry is still very much underdeveloped in some parts of the world. Those who enjoy regulated and controlled online wagering don’t fully understand that in many jurisdictions there are no rules and lawless operators are taking advantage of the unsuspecting punter.
With the proliferation of smartphones globally, mobile online betting has become a trend that operators have seen as great boon to the industry with gold mine potential. Unfortunately there are firewalls and censorship in places such as China and Russia where the government looks at gambling as a pastime to be avoided by the people with hard penalties in place to deter even the most avid punter.
Smartphones will spur the growth of mobile online gambling but it will likely be in the west rather than where the growth for smartphone acquisitions which is in the Asian jurisdiction. Figures in a report from analytics firm Canalys reveal that Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia and China, will account for 38 percent of all smartphone shipments in the next year. Canalys research analyst Jessica Kwee, said, “The smart phone market continues to see robust growth amid the faltering economies in developed markets. However, the performance of developing ‘new growth’ countries such as China is dramatic. Combined, the BRIIC smart phone markets have exceeded the total market size of North America and Western Europe,” Kwee added, “Developing markets such as the BRIIC countries and others promise large, as yet untapped growth potential,”
Mobile gambling is taking the world by a storm with some nations such as India prosing some legal online betting in the future. Operators who see this massive potential are trying desperately to get into the game. Until governments reform old laws and regulate online betting the industry will suffer the rogues and villains that will tempt the gaming public with mobile offerings on their new devices. The growth of 61.4 percent in India alone suggests the enormity of the potential. Connected to the net via their phones millions are going to want to gamble.
Mobile Online Gambling Potential Measured in Smartphone Sales
With the proliferation of smartphones globally, mobile online betting has become a trend that operators have seen as great boon to the industry with gold mine potential. Unfortunately there are firewalls and censorship in places such as China and Russia where the government looks at gambling as a pastime to be avoided by the people with hard penalties in place to deter even the most avid punter.
Smartphones will spur the growth of mobile online gambling but it will likely be in the west rather than where the growth for smartphone acquisitions which is in the Asian jurisdiction. Figures in a report from analytics firm Canalys reveal that Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia and China, will account for 38 percent of all smartphone shipments in the next year. Canalys research analyst Jessica Kwee, said, “The smart phone market continues to see robust growth amid the faltering economies in developed markets. However, the performance of developing ‘new growth’ countries such as China is dramatic. Combined, the BRIIC smart phone markets have exceeded the total market size of North America and Western Europe,” Kwee added, “Developing markets such as the BRIIC countries and others promise large, as yet untapped growth potential,”
Mobile gambling is taking the world by a storm with some nations such as India prosing some legal online betting in the future. Operators who see this massive potential are trying desperately to get into the game. Until governments reform old laws and regulate online betting the industry will suffer the rogues and villains that will tempt the gaming public with mobile offerings on their new devices. The growth of 61.4 percent in India alone suggests the enormity of the potential. Connected to the net via their phones millions are going to want to gamble.
Mobile Online Gambling Potential Measured in Smartphone Sales
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
For the first time since casinos were legalized in Atlantic City, New Jersey is no longer the number two US state in terms of gaming revenue. Pennsylvania took the number two spot from New Jersey in 2012. Pennsylvania’s eleven casinos raked in $3.16 billion in gaming revenue in 2012. New Jersey’s twelve casinos generated a gaming win of $3.06 billion. This does not include lotteries or horse racing. Both of these states generated about half of number one Nevada’s gaming revenue.
New Jersey has lost over one-third of its gaming revenue since peaking at $5.2 billion in 2006. Gaming revenue lost 8% in 2012 from the previous year’s $3.3 billion. Some of this loss could be attributed to Hurricane Sandy. Atlantic City casinos closed for about a week due to the storm. Some casinos were closed longer than others and the days on either side of the storm’s closure were extremely slow.
Competition from neighboring states has hurt New Jersey’s casino business that enjoyed a monopoly for nearly three decades. The state’s casinos are hoping for a turnaround with new revenue opportunities. These opportunities include sports betting and online gambling.
The law that would legalize New Jersey sports betting is currently tied up in court. The major sports leagues are challenging New Jersey’s right to offer legalized sports betting. The leagues claim that not only would it damage the integrity of their brands, they also contend that the Professional and Amateurs Sports Protection Act, often referred to as the Bradley Act, forbids New Jersey from offering sports gambling.
The state’s online gambling bill awaits a signature from Governor Chris Christie. The bill easily passed both houses of New Jersey’s legislature. The bill would legalize online gambling games as long as the game is legal in Atlantic City. All servers would be stored within the city limits and the games would be banked by Atlantic City casinos. Governor Christie already vetoed a similar bill in March 2011 citing state constitutional concerns.
The parent company of PokerStars is depending on the signing of this bill. They have agreed to terms to acquire the Atlantic Club Casino in Atlantic City. The company hopes to not only enter the U.S. brick and mortar casino business, they also hope for their chance to offer online gambling to U.S. residents.
New Jersey No Longer Number Two Casino State
New Jersey has lost over one-third of its gaming revenue since peaking at $5.2 billion in 2006. Gaming revenue lost 8% in 2012 from the previous year’s $3.3 billion. Some of this loss could be attributed to Hurricane Sandy. Atlantic City casinos closed for about a week due to the storm. Some casinos were closed longer than others and the days on either side of the storm’s closure were extremely slow.
Competition from neighboring states has hurt New Jersey’s casino business that enjoyed a monopoly for nearly three decades. The state’s casinos are hoping for a turnaround with new revenue opportunities. These opportunities include sports betting and online gambling.
The law that would legalize New Jersey sports betting is currently tied up in court. The major sports leagues are challenging New Jersey’s right to offer legalized sports betting. The leagues claim that not only would it damage the integrity of their brands, they also contend that the Professional and Amateurs Sports Protection Act, often referred to as the Bradley Act, forbids New Jersey from offering sports gambling.
The state’s online gambling bill awaits a signature from Governor Chris Christie. The bill easily passed both houses of New Jersey’s legislature. The bill would legalize online gambling games as long as the game is legal in Atlantic City. All servers would be stored within the city limits and the games would be banked by Atlantic City casinos. Governor Christie already vetoed a similar bill in March 2011 citing state constitutional concerns.
The parent company of PokerStars is depending on the signing of this bill. They have agreed to terms to acquire the Atlantic Club Casino in Atlantic City. The company hopes to not only enter the U.S. brick and mortar casino business, they also hope for their chance to offer online gambling to U.S. residents.
New Jersey No Longer Number Two Casino State
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Jennifer Hudson joins other powerhouse singers such as Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and the cast of 'Glee' in the lineup for the Obama inaugural balls. Jennifer Hudson has been added to the entertainment lineup at one of the two inaugural balls, joining other powerhouse performers such as Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and the cast of Glee.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee made the announcement today, and clarified who would be performing at the two inaugural balls at the Washington Convention Center Monday night, after President Obama's second inauguration.
The Commander-in-Chief's Ball, for about 4,000 members of the military, with millions more around the world watching live, will feature Keys, Hudson, Brad Paisley, Chris Cornell, Jamie Foxx, and Marc Anthony. The DJ will be Dan Moose.
The Pentagon Channel, which broadcasts to nearly all military installations and reaches more than 2 million service members in the U.S. and overseas, will provide a live feed. A live stream also will be available online at TPC - Home.
The Inaugural Ball, for about 35,000 and spread over every hall of the convention center, will feature Keys, Paisley, the Glee cast and Wonder, plus Black Violin, Far East Movement, FUN., John Legend, Katy Perry, Maná, Smokey Robinson, Soundgarden, and Usher, performing on multiple stages. D-Nice will DJ the event.
On Saturday evening, first lady Michelle Obama and second lady Jill Biden will host a Kids' Inaugural Concert, which will feature some of the same performers, although the PIC hasn't specified the lineup yet.
Also, still no word yet on who will sing what for the presidential couple's first dance. In 2009, Beyoncé did the honors at one of the 10 balls for the first Obama inauguration, singing the Etta James classic At Last as the president and first lady twirled. This year, Beyoncé is singing the National Anthem at the swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee made the announcement today, and clarified who would be performing at the two inaugural balls at the Washington Convention Center Monday night, after President Obama's second inauguration.
The Commander-in-Chief's Ball, for about 4,000 members of the military, with millions more around the world watching live, will feature Keys, Hudson, Brad Paisley, Chris Cornell, Jamie Foxx, and Marc Anthony. The DJ will be Dan Moose.
The Pentagon Channel, which broadcasts to nearly all military installations and reaches more than 2 million service members in the U.S. and overseas, will provide a live feed. A live stream also will be available online at TPC - Home.
The Inaugural Ball, for about 35,000 and spread over every hall of the convention center, will feature Keys, Paisley, the Glee cast and Wonder, plus Black Violin, Far East Movement, FUN., John Legend, Katy Perry, Maná, Smokey Robinson, Soundgarden, and Usher, performing on multiple stages. D-Nice will DJ the event.
On Saturday evening, first lady Michelle Obama and second lady Jill Biden will host a Kids' Inaugural Concert, which will feature some of the same performers, although the PIC hasn't specified the lineup yet.
Also, still no word yet on who will sing what for the presidential couple's first dance. In 2009, Beyoncé did the honors at one of the 10 balls for the first Obama inauguration, singing the Etta James classic At Last as the president and first lady twirled. This year, Beyoncé is singing the National Anthem at the swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
"Enlightenment" Your 7 days program to Positive thinking
I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?
It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.
Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting in your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your head and is always at work while you are busy sitting.
Having a bit of positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that what made our country prosperous.
1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void.
This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.
2. Commit to yourself as well as those you love to create powerfully a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.
3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot and see if it will work. You will be surprised to see of there are other ways to get the task done in time. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.
4. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude, away from poverty consciousness.
5. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based in increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!
6. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I am yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has so much to offer to allow you to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.
7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except for you! Create your life authentically. As long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which would lead to celebrate a discovery that is born within your hands. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.
It's interesting how people get wallowed up by something trivial as learning to use a computer, when nowadays that top computer companies are manufacturing software that even the kids can do it. I don't mean to be condescending, but that's the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life-you'll just end up as a dim bulb in a dark corner. So instead of subjecting yourself to what you will be doomed for, make your path by taking the first step with a positive attitude.
I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?
It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.
Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting in your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your head and is always at work while you are busy sitting.
Having a bit of positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that what made our country prosperous.
1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void.
This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.
2. Commit to yourself as well as those you love to create powerfully a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.
3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot and see if it will work. You will be surprised to see of there are other ways to get the task done in time. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.
4. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude, away from poverty consciousness.
5. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based in increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!
6. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I am yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has so much to offer to allow you to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.
7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except for you! Create your life authentically. As long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which would lead to celebrate a discovery that is born within your hands. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.
It's interesting how people get wallowed up by something trivial as learning to use a computer, when nowadays that top computer companies are manufacturing software that even the kids can do it. I don't mean to be condescending, but that's the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life-you'll just end up as a dim bulb in a dark corner. So instead of subjecting yourself to what you will be doomed for, make your path by taking the first step with a positive attitude.
Join:
2013/01/15
Messages:
1
The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling will host a public forum on the Internet and problem gambling.
The forum is in response to a recent report on plans by the Massachusetts State Online Products Task Force to pursue Internet gambling.
Speakers at the forum will discuss how Internet gambling will affect people who now have or are at risk for developing gambling disorders.
Speakers will include Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Phil Kopel of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The forum is scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Langham Hotel in Boston.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman said last month that he plans to ask the Legislature to eliminate existing barriers in state law that prevent the lottery from selling tickets and other games online.
The forum is in response to a recent report on plans by the Massachusetts State Online Products Task Force to pursue Internet gambling.
Speakers at the forum will discuss how Internet gambling will affect people who now have or are at risk for developing gambling disorders.
Speakers will include Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Phil Kopel of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The forum is scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Langham Hotel in Boston.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman said last month that he plans to ask the Legislature to eliminate existing barriers in state law that prevent the lottery from selling tickets and other games online.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
According to preliminary information from the police, this ring offered online gambles in various forms, such as horse racing, football, tennis, etc. The gambling money transferred abroad every day was up to dozens of million USD.
The police has detected an account used for online gambling, with up to VND10 trillion (over $470 million). There is an account that transferred up to VND100 billion ($5 million) once for gambling.
The huge numbers makes people curious about the super-rich gamblers in this ring. However, the police have not disclosed further information.
In the latest news, on January 17, the police arrested Cu Thi Thanh Hai,39, in Hanoi, who is the deputy director of an advertising firm.
On January 16, they arrested Hai’s younger brother, Cu Huy Giap, 31. Hai and Giap are considered as important "chains" in Hanoi.
Earlier, the police arrested five people in HCM City and one in Hanoi, including: Nguyen Le Sang (37,) Nguyen Le Giang (50,) Le Van Hai (24,) Phan Thi Kim Loan (35,) Nguyen Thai Ngan (21) from HCM City and Nguyen Anh Thai (33) from Hanoi.
Sang, 37, used to work for a bank in HCM City and is defined as the most important chain in HCM City.
The police searched the home of these people, seized VND565 million ($25,000), one 7-seat car, 8 laptops, 21 cell phones, 32 ATMs of different banks and some documents.
How the gambling ring works?
The National High-tech Crime Police Agency (C50) discovered signs of a huge gambling den. Soon after, project 511 C was established and carried out by C50 and the Police Investigation Department of Social Security Crime (C45).
They sent investors to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, An Giang and Tay Ninh to investigate and collect evidence.
According to the investigators, this online gambling ring was founded in the Philippines (website M88) and was introduced to Vietnam in early 2011.
This is a mortgage-style gambling site. The gamblers, after creating their accounts on the gambling website, have to open a banking account to transfer money into the account of the website organizer’s representatives in Vietnam.
The amount of money in the banking account will be converted into points (virtual money) for the gamblers to bet with the website owner through the internet.
The previously-detected gambling networks in Vietnam consist of two parts: the part of management for the master and organizer of the online gambling activities and the gamble part for the gambling accounts which could only work with the passwords provided by the master. In this form, the gambling activities are managed by Vietnamese partners.
For the M88 site, the overseas master directly manages the gambling operation of Vietnamese gamblers, without the participation of the Vietnamese agents. The role of the Vietnamese agents is transferring money from the gamblers to the overseas master.
The police has detected an account used for online gambling, with up to VND10 trillion (over $470 million). There is an account that transferred up to VND100 billion ($5 million) once for gambling.
The huge numbers makes people curious about the super-rich gamblers in this ring. However, the police have not disclosed further information.
In the latest news, on January 17, the police arrested Cu Thi Thanh Hai,39, in Hanoi, who is the deputy director of an advertising firm.
On January 16, they arrested Hai’s younger brother, Cu Huy Giap, 31. Hai and Giap are considered as important "chains" in Hanoi.
Earlier, the police arrested five people in HCM City and one in Hanoi, including: Nguyen Le Sang (37,) Nguyen Le Giang (50,) Le Van Hai (24,) Phan Thi Kim Loan (35,) Nguyen Thai Ngan (21) from HCM City and Nguyen Anh Thai (33) from Hanoi.
Sang, 37, used to work for a bank in HCM City and is defined as the most important chain in HCM City.
The police searched the home of these people, seized VND565 million ($25,000), one 7-seat car, 8 laptops, 21 cell phones, 32 ATMs of different banks and some documents.
How the gambling ring works?
The National High-tech Crime Police Agency (C50) discovered signs of a huge gambling den. Soon after, project 511 C was established and carried out by C50 and the Police Investigation Department of Social Security Crime (C45).
They sent investors to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, An Giang and Tay Ninh to investigate and collect evidence.
According to the investigators, this online gambling ring was founded in the Philippines (website M88) and was introduced to Vietnam in early 2011.
This is a mortgage-style gambling site. The gamblers, after creating their accounts on the gambling website, have to open a banking account to transfer money into the account of the website organizer’s representatives in Vietnam.
The amount of money in the banking account will be converted into points (virtual money) for the gamblers to bet with the website owner through the internet.
The previously-detected gambling networks in Vietnam consist of two parts: the part of management for the master and organizer of the online gambling activities and the gamble part for the gambling accounts which could only work with the passwords provided by the master. In this form, the gambling activities are managed by Vietnamese partners.
For the M88 site, the overseas master directly manages the gambling operation of Vietnamese gamblers, without the participation of the Vietnamese agents. The role of the Vietnamese agents is transferring money from the gamblers to the overseas master.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The most visceral and heartbreaking scene in the new Neil Young documentary, Journeys, (which has just finished its run at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield; the DVD is due in June) comes when he performs 'Ohio'.
Young wrote it in the immediate aftermath of the massacre in 1970 of four students at Kent State University in Ohio by the National Guard as they stormed a campus protest against the war in Vietnam.
It's a powerful song whose anger at the state-sponsored violence of the Nixon administration remains undiminished down the decades since it was first appeared in 1971 on a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young live album.
"What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?" sings Young.
Director Jonathan Demme intercuts Young's performance with archive footage of the shameful scenes – and then we see the names and photos of the two girls and two boys who lost their lives, each smiling in family snaps or college yearbook pics, none older than 20.
It's the most emotional moment of a film that sees the Canadian guitar god look back on his life and those he has lost along the way. There's bittersweet footage of his long-time crew member, Larry 'LA' Johnson, who died in 2010, playing with Young's severely disabled son, Ben.
And there's a tribute to the late veteran pedal steel player, Ben Keith, who performed on many of Young's finest recordings through the years.
"The people you lose, they're not really gone – because they're still in your head," says Young, reflecting on his departed friends.
The emotional transition from grief to stoical acceptance is only one of the journeys Young takes in the film. His 45-year musical odyssey is another – he dusts off tunes from the 1960s ('Down By The River') and early 1970s (an incredible version of 'After The Goldrush' performed on an enormous pump organ and harmonica) right up to selections from his 2010 album Le Noise.
The film is also the tale of his journey from smalltown Ontario to the concert halls of big city Toronto. It begins with Young driving through his home town of Omemee in north Ontario and stopping off to visit the site of his old family home, long since burned to the ground, in the company of his brother Bob. He reminisces about sleeping outside in a "pup tent" as a kid, the better to keep an eye on his chickens.
Amazingly, it's Young's father Scott who's the most famous family member in the town – the high school is named after his late dad on account of his nationwide fame as a sports journalist.
Then we're back in Young's 1956 vintage Crown Victoria for the trip to Toronto, where he is due to play a solo show in the city's stately, grand Massey Hall – the same venue where he recorded an extraordinary live album almost 40 years before.
Whether he's playing acoustic guitar or whipping up a wall of feedback on his electric Gibson Les Paul, Young remains a force of nature, a survivor who has been conjuring that wild mercury sound from his six-string since before Jimi Hendrix set his on fire.
Yet even now he remains a restless spirit. Last year alone, apart from the solo tour, Young released two albums with his band Crazy Horse – Americana, which saw him cover popular folk and roots standards, and the amped-up, wall-trembling Psychedelic Pill, which featured one jam that clocks in at 27 minutes.
Oh, and he also wrote his idiosyncratic autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace, which details his latest venture: a new kind of audio reproduction system called Pono, which he hopes will rescue music from the tinny compression – and degradation from "soul communication" to "entertainment" – of the digital age.
And the book also documents his campaign to make the dream of eco-friendly electric cars an everyday reality – see his lincvolt website.
All of which whets the appetite when Neil Young & Crazy Horse stop off here on their European tour. They play the RDS Showjumping Arena on Saturday, June 15.
That's one journey I'll be making.
Young wrote it in the immediate aftermath of the massacre in 1970 of four students at Kent State University in Ohio by the National Guard as they stormed a campus protest against the war in Vietnam.
It's a powerful song whose anger at the state-sponsored violence of the Nixon administration remains undiminished down the decades since it was first appeared in 1971 on a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young live album.
"What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?" sings Young.
Director Jonathan Demme intercuts Young's performance with archive footage of the shameful scenes – and then we see the names and photos of the two girls and two boys who lost their lives, each smiling in family snaps or college yearbook pics, none older than 20.
It's the most emotional moment of a film that sees the Canadian guitar god look back on his life and those he has lost along the way. There's bittersweet footage of his long-time crew member, Larry 'LA' Johnson, who died in 2010, playing with Young's severely disabled son, Ben.
And there's a tribute to the late veteran pedal steel player, Ben Keith, who performed on many of Young's finest recordings through the years.
"The people you lose, they're not really gone – because they're still in your head," says Young, reflecting on his departed friends.
The emotional transition from grief to stoical acceptance is only one of the journeys Young takes in the film. His 45-year musical odyssey is another – he dusts off tunes from the 1960s ('Down By The River') and early 1970s (an incredible version of 'After The Goldrush' performed on an enormous pump organ and harmonica) right up to selections from his 2010 album Le Noise.
The film is also the tale of his journey from smalltown Ontario to the concert halls of big city Toronto. It begins with Young driving through his home town of Omemee in north Ontario and stopping off to visit the site of his old family home, long since burned to the ground, in the company of his brother Bob. He reminisces about sleeping outside in a "pup tent" as a kid, the better to keep an eye on his chickens.
Amazingly, it's Young's father Scott who's the most famous family member in the town – the high school is named after his late dad on account of his nationwide fame as a sports journalist.
Then we're back in Young's 1956 vintage Crown Victoria for the trip to Toronto, where he is due to play a solo show in the city's stately, grand Massey Hall – the same venue where he recorded an extraordinary live album almost 40 years before.
Whether he's playing acoustic guitar or whipping up a wall of feedback on his electric Gibson Les Paul, Young remains a force of nature, a survivor who has been conjuring that wild mercury sound from his six-string since before Jimi Hendrix set his on fire.
Yet even now he remains a restless spirit. Last year alone, apart from the solo tour, Young released two albums with his band Crazy Horse – Americana, which saw him cover popular folk and roots standards, and the amped-up, wall-trembling Psychedelic Pill, which featured one jam that clocks in at 27 minutes.
Oh, and he also wrote his idiosyncratic autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace, which details his latest venture: a new kind of audio reproduction system called Pono, which he hopes will rescue music from the tinny compression – and degradation from "soul communication" to "entertainment" – of the digital age.
And the book also documents his campaign to make the dream of eco-friendly electric cars an everyday reality – see his lincvolt website.
All of which whets the appetite when Neil Young & Crazy Horse stop off here on their European tour. They play the RDS Showjumping Arena on Saturday, June 15.
That's one journey I'll be making.
Join:
2006/12/07
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29893
INTERNET addiction is likely to be classified as a mental illness, as Australian psychiatrists warn teenagers and single men are getting "hooked" on online gaming.
The 21st-century syndrome has been listed as a priority research field in the latest "psychiatrists' bible".
The American Psychiatric Association will add "internet use disorder" to the research appendix of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May, after the first review in two decades.
"This is the first time internet-related disorders will be acknowledged in the DSA," Adelaide University School of Psychology researcher Daniel King said yesterday.
"It is a major clinical tool used by psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose mental health disorders."
Writing in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Dr King reveals that mental health experts are debating whether to define the illness as "internet addiction" or "video gaming addiction".
He says certain video games such as World of Warcraft are more addictive because they "deliver rewards with greater intensity".
"Video-gamers are motivated by the rewards offered within the medium of the game, (which are) virtual goods, social feed-back, or an escape from reality," he wrote.
Dr King told said that that single, socially isolated teenage boys and 20-something men are at most risk of problem gaming.
Up to 3 per cent of regular online gamers have a disorder, he said.
"Factors like being male, single, being socially isolated, having attention difficulties, social anxiety, disengagement from school and other activities and poor family relationships seem to be associated with problem gaming," he said.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists yesterday said the DSM-5 listing would eventually lead to a diagnostic tool for "problematic" internet use.
The chairman of its Child and Adolescent Psychiatry faculty, Nick Kowalenko, said patients displaying internet "over-use" tend to suffer underlying mental health problems.
"I usually see it in kids who are depressed and unhappy, or kids who have problems managing their impulses such as kids with ADHD, or problems regulating their mood," he said.
"It is not an illness at this stage because the boundaries between what is a problem and what is a disorder are not clearly understood.
"But (the DSM-5 listing) is a step along the way."
Melbourne child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said online games could trigger the brain's "happy" neurotransmitter, dopamine.
"Some kids get the same dopamine squirt from online games that drug addicts get taking drugs," he said.
"For some kids who are feeling inadequate, it can become their world and they have trouble distinguishing between their virtual identity and their real-life identity."
Dr Carr-Gregg urged parents to limit children's internet use and avoid using online games as "electronic babysitters".
ARE YOU AN INTERNET ADDICT?
TIME is not the only test for an internet addiction, says Dr Daniel King, senior research associate at the University of Adelaide's School of Psychology.
"What is important is the harmful psychological relationship between the person and the video game," he says.
Gaming is a problem when the player starts to experience withdrawal symptoms "like getting irritable or angry when the gaming is reduced or the game is taken away".
Problem gamers also feel they "cannot control how much time they spend gaming".
And their gaming creates "significant conflict in multiple areas of their life, such as relationships, a job or school, and so on".
"If someone meets all of those criteria, then that would likely indicate video-gaming disorder," Dr King says.
"If you're someone who loves video games, plays a lot of games, and it doesn't cause any disruption to your life aside from the occasional sleepless night, then you're not a problem gamer.
"You're a gaming enthusiast, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."
Read more: Overuse of internet gaming or gambling set to be a mental illness | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews | News-com.au
The 21st-century syndrome has been listed as a priority research field in the latest "psychiatrists' bible".
The American Psychiatric Association will add "internet use disorder" to the research appendix of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May, after the first review in two decades.
"This is the first time internet-related disorders will be acknowledged in the DSA," Adelaide University School of Psychology researcher Daniel King said yesterday.
"It is a major clinical tool used by psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose mental health disorders."
Writing in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Dr King reveals that mental health experts are debating whether to define the illness as "internet addiction" or "video gaming addiction".
He says certain video games such as World of Warcraft are more addictive because they "deliver rewards with greater intensity".
"Video-gamers are motivated by the rewards offered within the medium of the game, (which are) virtual goods, social feed-back, or an escape from reality," he wrote.
Dr King told said that that single, socially isolated teenage boys and 20-something men are at most risk of problem gaming.
Up to 3 per cent of regular online gamers have a disorder, he said.
"Factors like being male, single, being socially isolated, having attention difficulties, social anxiety, disengagement from school and other activities and poor family relationships seem to be associated with problem gaming," he said.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists yesterday said the DSM-5 listing would eventually lead to a diagnostic tool for "problematic" internet use.
The chairman of its Child and Adolescent Psychiatry faculty, Nick Kowalenko, said patients displaying internet "over-use" tend to suffer underlying mental health problems.
"I usually see it in kids who are depressed and unhappy, or kids who have problems managing their impulses such as kids with ADHD, or problems regulating their mood," he said.
"It is not an illness at this stage because the boundaries between what is a problem and what is a disorder are not clearly understood.
"But (the DSM-5 listing) is a step along the way."
Melbourne child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said online games could trigger the brain's "happy" neurotransmitter, dopamine.
"Some kids get the same dopamine squirt from online games that drug addicts get taking drugs," he said.
"For some kids who are feeling inadequate, it can become their world and they have trouble distinguishing between their virtual identity and their real-life identity."
Dr Carr-Gregg urged parents to limit children's internet use and avoid using online games as "electronic babysitters".
ARE YOU AN INTERNET ADDICT?
TIME is not the only test for an internet addiction, says Dr Daniel King, senior research associate at the University of Adelaide's School of Psychology.
"What is important is the harmful psychological relationship between the person and the video game," he says.
Gaming is a problem when the player starts to experience withdrawal symptoms "like getting irritable or angry when the gaming is reduced or the game is taken away".
Problem gamers also feel they "cannot control how much time they spend gaming".
And their gaming creates "significant conflict in multiple areas of their life, such as relationships, a job or school, and so on".
"If someone meets all of those criteria, then that would likely indicate video-gaming disorder," Dr King says.
"If you're someone who loves video games, plays a lot of games, and it doesn't cause any disruption to your life aside from the occasional sleepless night, then you're not a problem gamer.
"You're a gaming enthusiast, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."
Read more: Overuse of internet gaming or gambling set to be a mental illness | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews | News-com.au
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2006/12/07
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The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling will host a public forum on the Internet and problem gambling.
The forum is in response to a recent report on plans by the Massachusetts State Online Products Task Force to pursue Internet gambling.
Speakers at the forum will discuss how Internet gambling will affect people who now have or are at risk for developing gambling disorders.
Speakers will include Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Phil Kopel of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The forum is scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Langham Hotel in Boston.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman said last month that he plans to ask the Legislature to eliminate existing barriers in state law that prevent the lottery from selling tickets and other games online.
The forum is in response to a recent report on plans by the Massachusetts State Online Products Task Force to pursue Internet gambling.
Speakers at the forum will discuss how Internet gambling will affect people who now have or are at risk for developing gambling disorders.
Speakers will include Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Phil Kopel of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The forum is scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Langham Hotel in Boston.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman said last month that he plans to ask the Legislature to eliminate existing barriers in state law that prevent the lottery from selling tickets and other games online.
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2006/12/07
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What a cold week, but beautifully wintery and brisk it has been. It has definitely been a mild winter so far but the week has kept us busy, busy, busy! Its Sunday once again Guys and Dolls and it’s time for the weekly recap of online gambling news, reviews and previews.
This Week in Online Gambling
This week on the Dirty Stack, Pete reported on Pokerstars’ deal to purchase New Jersey’s Atlantic Club casino to reviv one of of Atlantic City’s weakest casinos.
The Rational Group, filed papers with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement seeking regulatory approval to buy the Atlantic Club from Resorts International Holdings.
“The acquisition of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel will secure up to 2,000 jobs and maintain the economic benefits the casino brings to New Jersey,” Michael Frawley, the casino’s chief operating officer, and the Rational Group said in a joint statement Tuesday.
Microgaming Quickfire entered into an agreement with development partner Push Gaming, to provide Magic Dreams top-performing games via the Quickfire platform.
Schleswig-Holstein issued three online sports betting licenses this week bringing the total to 18 sports betting operators in total.
UK Government is introducing a place of consumption (POC) tax on online gaming in response to the (DCMS) legislative proposals. The POC tax proposal is complementary to the recent DCMS Bill which managed, in four simple clauses, to extend the regulatory licensing requirement to all operators who offer gambling or online poker to UK residents.
CS Reports Weekly Recap of Online Gambling News, Reviews and Previews | CS Report
This Week in Online Gambling
This week on the Dirty Stack, Pete reported on Pokerstars’ deal to purchase New Jersey’s Atlantic Club casino to reviv one of of Atlantic City’s weakest casinos.
The Rational Group, filed papers with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement seeking regulatory approval to buy the Atlantic Club from Resorts International Holdings.
“The acquisition of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel will secure up to 2,000 jobs and maintain the economic benefits the casino brings to New Jersey,” Michael Frawley, the casino’s chief operating officer, and the Rational Group said in a joint statement Tuesday.
Microgaming Quickfire entered into an agreement with development partner Push Gaming, to provide Magic Dreams top-performing games via the Quickfire platform.
Schleswig-Holstein issued three online sports betting licenses this week bringing the total to 18 sports betting operators in total.
UK Government is introducing a place of consumption (POC) tax on online gaming in response to the (DCMS) legislative proposals. The POC tax proposal is complementary to the recent DCMS Bill which managed, in four simple clauses, to extend the regulatory licensing requirement to all operators who offer gambling or online poker to UK residents.
CS Reports Weekly Recap of Online Gambling News, Reviews and Previews | CS Report
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Matthew McConaughey has admitted being "p***ed off" with his good pal Lance Armstrong.
The Hollywood actor, 43, has revealed he was very surprised to learn the Tour de France champion was at the centre of a huge doping ring, which has seen him disgraced and stipped of all the titles he won between 1999 and 2005.
However, Matthew is sticking by his friend, who he says he now feels sorry, and says he feels relieved Lance never confided in him about his cheating antics.
"My first reaction was I was p***ed off. I was mad," Matthew told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
"I then got kind of sad for him. First off, I had a part of me that took it kind of personally, which I think a lot of people have.
"For him, it was impersonal because he was living a lie. It was a whole unanimous facade he had to carry around.
"What I realised is that those of us that took that personally, like, 'Oh, he lied to me', it's not true.
"What I mean by this is, what was he supposed to do? Call me to the side and go, 'Hey man, I did it but don't tell anybody'? Then I would have really had a reason to be p***ed off at him, going, 'You want me to walk around holding this?'."
The father-of-three, who is married to model Camila Alves, has been good friends with Lance for years and they have often been spotted working out together near their nearby homes in Austin, Texas. It was previously reported that Matthew - who is still in the process of regaining weight after dropping to 61.2kg for his role as a HIV patient in the upcoming movie The Dallas Buyers Club - was among those being considered to play the cyclist in a movie about his life.
However, Matt Damon is now reportedly first in line to star in the biopic, which will be made by JJ Abrams' production company, Bad Robot, along with Paramount Pictures, who just closed a deal to acquire the rights to the forthcoming book, Cycle Of Lies: The Fall Of Lance Armstrong, by Juliet Macur.
The Hollywood actor, 43, has revealed he was very surprised to learn the Tour de France champion was at the centre of a huge doping ring, which has seen him disgraced and stipped of all the titles he won between 1999 and 2005.
However, Matthew is sticking by his friend, who he says he now feels sorry, and says he feels relieved Lance never confided in him about his cheating antics.
"My first reaction was I was p***ed off. I was mad," Matthew told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
"I then got kind of sad for him. First off, I had a part of me that took it kind of personally, which I think a lot of people have.
"For him, it was impersonal because he was living a lie. It was a whole unanimous facade he had to carry around.
"What I realised is that those of us that took that personally, like, 'Oh, he lied to me', it's not true.
"What I mean by this is, what was he supposed to do? Call me to the side and go, 'Hey man, I did it but don't tell anybody'? Then I would have really had a reason to be p***ed off at him, going, 'You want me to walk around holding this?'."
The father-of-three, who is married to model Camila Alves, has been good friends with Lance for years and they have often been spotted working out together near their nearby homes in Austin, Texas. It was previously reported that Matthew - who is still in the process of regaining weight after dropping to 61.2kg for his role as a HIV patient in the upcoming movie The Dallas Buyers Club - was among those being considered to play the cyclist in a movie about his life.
However, Matt Damon is now reportedly first in line to star in the biopic, which will be made by JJ Abrams' production company, Bad Robot, along with Paramount Pictures, who just closed a deal to acquire the rights to the forthcoming book, Cycle Of Lies: The Fall Of Lance Armstrong, by Juliet Macur.
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Online gambling payment processor Ira Rubin continues his battle to overturn the three-year sentence he received in 2012, for his role in the Black Friday crack down on online poker in the USA. Rubin recently filed a handwritten notice of appeal to get the ball rolling in his attempt to get out of jail. Rubin, was also ordered to forfeit $5,000,000, first filed an appeal last August, alleging that he received inadequate counsel and that the sentence received actually exceeded the recommended penalties.
Using his defense attorney Richard Finkel as the reason for his appeal mentioning that the lawyer allegedly did not argue mitigating factors during his sentencing and that the Department of Justice and the US government officials did not comply with the plea bargain agreement plus he did not file an original notice of appeal as Rubin requested. Rubin’s first appeal was summarily dismissed on September 25, 2012, with prosecutors declaring it frivolous. The Miami Federal Correctional Institution, is now Rubin’s temporary residence where he is no longer represented by his lawyer Finkel. The Judge in the case Lewis A. Kaplan approving Finkel’s withdrawal in early December. Rubin also declared his attempt to try defend himself after which Kaplan’s office sent him instructions on applying for a federal court-appointed defender. Rubin has since filed to have a public defender appointed, to be assigned to him in soon.
Ira Rubin has been described by the Judge as an “unreformed con man and fraudster” who was “brazen, quite deliberate and deceptive” in defying US law. Rubin pled guilty to three of nine counts related to processing illegal payments for online poker companies, including conspiracy to violate the UIGEA, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and money laundering. According to the indictment, Rubin “lied to banks about the nature of the financial transactions they were processing” and created “phony corporations and websites to disguise payments.”
Online Gambling Money Processor Ira Rubin Appeals Sentence
Using his defense attorney Richard Finkel as the reason for his appeal mentioning that the lawyer allegedly did not argue mitigating factors during his sentencing and that the Department of Justice and the US government officials did not comply with the plea bargain agreement plus he did not file an original notice of appeal as Rubin requested. Rubin’s first appeal was summarily dismissed on September 25, 2012, with prosecutors declaring it frivolous. The Miami Federal Correctional Institution, is now Rubin’s temporary residence where he is no longer represented by his lawyer Finkel. The Judge in the case Lewis A. Kaplan approving Finkel’s withdrawal in early December. Rubin also declared his attempt to try defend himself after which Kaplan’s office sent him instructions on applying for a federal court-appointed defender. Rubin has since filed to have a public defender appointed, to be assigned to him in soon.
Ira Rubin has been described by the Judge as an “unreformed con man and fraudster” who was “brazen, quite deliberate and deceptive” in defying US law. Rubin pled guilty to three of nine counts related to processing illegal payments for online poker companies, including conspiracy to violate the UIGEA, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and money laundering. According to the indictment, Rubin “lied to banks about the nature of the financial transactions they were processing” and created “phony corporations and websites to disguise payments.”
Online Gambling Money Processor Ira Rubin Appeals Sentence
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2006/12/07
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The awards for best of this and that are always interesting in the online gambling industry with certain web sites taking top honours year after year. It can make one wonder why these web locations continue to outperform all others and receive the best of award against all newcomers in this very competitive and demanding industry. Sweden's Best 100 Awards for web design and function has given Mr. Green the Best Website Award once again for the fifth year in a row.
Launched in Sweden in 2008, Mr Green online casino is licensed and registered in Malta. The site's 'green gaming' policy places huge emphasis on safe gambling, even allowing players to pre-set how much they want to deposit, wager or lose over a seven day period. The Mr Green Casino Swedish gaming award for Best Website, was not the only award the site garnered, a special prize for consistency in excellence at the Best 100 Awards was also given to the web site.
As noted, this is the fifth time that Mr Green has taken home the Internetworld Magazine award which the magazine has presented since 1997. Information Director for Mr Green Casino, Stina Reutercrona, commented on the win, "To be awarded one of the 100 best web sites in Sweden, for the fifth consecutive year, truly is a proof of a high quality product," Reutercrona added, "We focus on the customer experience and work hard on the design, communication and security of the players."
Mr Green online casino offers players the very best in casino gaming from software operators including NYX Interactive, Microgaming, Betsoft Gaming, Net Entertainment and IGT. The games portfolio includes more than 200 games, including Microgaming's new The Finer Reels of Life, and Battlestar Galactica. The ever popular Net Entertainment's progressive slot game, Mega Fortune, currently has a jackpot of €17,840,000, one of the largest available online.
Mr Green Online Casino Wins Best 100 Award
Launched in Sweden in 2008, Mr Green online casino is licensed and registered in Malta. The site's 'green gaming' policy places huge emphasis on safe gambling, even allowing players to pre-set how much they want to deposit, wager or lose over a seven day period. The Mr Green Casino Swedish gaming award for Best Website, was not the only award the site garnered, a special prize for consistency in excellence at the Best 100 Awards was also given to the web site.
As noted, this is the fifth time that Mr Green has taken home the Internetworld Magazine award which the magazine has presented since 1997. Information Director for Mr Green Casino, Stina Reutercrona, commented on the win, "To be awarded one of the 100 best web sites in Sweden, for the fifth consecutive year, truly is a proof of a high quality product," Reutercrona added, "We focus on the customer experience and work hard on the design, communication and security of the players."
Mr Green online casino offers players the very best in casino gaming from software operators including NYX Interactive, Microgaming, Betsoft Gaming, Net Entertainment and IGT. The games portfolio includes more than 200 games, including Microgaming's new The Finer Reels of Life, and Battlestar Galactica. The ever popular Net Entertainment's progressive slot game, Mega Fortune, currently has a jackpot of €17,840,000, one of the largest available online.
Mr Green Online Casino Wins Best 100 Award
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New Jersey Sen. Ray Lesniak isn’t betting on his online gambling bill.
The Democratic lawmaker, arguably the state’s leading supporter of the issue, told Card Player Monday that it’s really up in the air on what Gov. Chris Christie will do with the bill that’s currently in his hands. The proposal sped through the legislature last month, as Lesniak had predicted.
Lesniak added that if Christie “holds true to form,” he won’t make a decision until the last minute. The Republican governor has until Feb. 4 — just two more weeks — to act.
According to Lesniak, there’s a “dark cloud over Atlantic City,” which has had its casino industry decline sharply since 2006. Hurricane Sandy further washed away business.
Gaming revenues in the city were as high as $5.2 billion in 2006, while this past calendar year had a comparatively disappointing $3.05 billion in casino win.
If Christie vetoes the proposal, that’s likely it for trying to legalize Internet gambling during his time in office, Lesniak said. Displeased lawmakers would have to “make sure someone else gets elected in November.” In other words, no more Christie.
“You only bang your head up against the wall so many times,” Lesniak said.
However, according to Lesniak, it would be difficult to get a new governor anytime soon. He said that Christie’s approval rating is through the roof at the moment.
Right now, the power is in Christie’s hands, and there is no indication as to which way he’s leaning. He did veto a similar proposal in 2011, but that was then and this is now.
Since the veto, Atlantic City has continued to “bleed red ink,” as Lesniak puts it, Nevada has made more strides toward its own online gaming industry, which Lesniak wants to keep pace with, and the federal government has made it clear that intrastate web wagering, as long as it’s not on sporting events, is permissible under federal law.
Poker players, lawmakers and gaming firms, including PokerStars, are waiting to see if the aforementioned will make a difference or if Christie will find another wrinkle in the proposal.
If vetoed, Lesniak anticipates some casino closures in Atlantic City. The other ray of hope would be Lesniak’s efforts to bring brick-and-mortar sports betting to the Garden State, but he said that it’s unclear what the courts will decide with regards to that matter.
Don't Bet On Internet Gambling Bill In New Jersey, Garden State Lawmaker Says
The Democratic lawmaker, arguably the state’s leading supporter of the issue, told Card Player Monday that it’s really up in the air on what Gov. Chris Christie will do with the bill that’s currently in his hands. The proposal sped through the legislature last month, as Lesniak had predicted.
Lesniak added that if Christie “holds true to form,” he won’t make a decision until the last minute. The Republican governor has until Feb. 4 — just two more weeks — to act.
According to Lesniak, there’s a “dark cloud over Atlantic City,” which has had its casino industry decline sharply since 2006. Hurricane Sandy further washed away business.
Gaming revenues in the city were as high as $5.2 billion in 2006, while this past calendar year had a comparatively disappointing $3.05 billion in casino win.
If Christie vetoes the proposal, that’s likely it for trying to legalize Internet gambling during his time in office, Lesniak said. Displeased lawmakers would have to “make sure someone else gets elected in November.” In other words, no more Christie.
“You only bang your head up against the wall so many times,” Lesniak said.
However, according to Lesniak, it would be difficult to get a new governor anytime soon. He said that Christie’s approval rating is through the roof at the moment.
Right now, the power is in Christie’s hands, and there is no indication as to which way he’s leaning. He did veto a similar proposal in 2011, but that was then and this is now.
Since the veto, Atlantic City has continued to “bleed red ink,” as Lesniak puts it, Nevada has made more strides toward its own online gaming industry, which Lesniak wants to keep pace with, and the federal government has made it clear that intrastate web wagering, as long as it’s not on sporting events, is permissible under federal law.
Poker players, lawmakers and gaming firms, including PokerStars, are waiting to see if the aforementioned will make a difference or if Christie will find another wrinkle in the proposal.
If vetoed, Lesniak anticipates some casino closures in Atlantic City. The other ray of hope would be Lesniak’s efforts to bring brick-and-mortar sports betting to the Garden State, but he said that it’s unclear what the courts will decide with regards to that matter.
Don't Bet On Internet Gambling Bill In New Jersey, Garden State Lawmaker Says
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British film director Michael Winner, who made the violent thriller Death Wish and become a restaurant critic in later life, has died at the age of 77, his wife said on Monday.
Winner had been ill for some time and after a spell in hospital last year died at his home in the upscale west London district of Kensington, Geraldine Winner said in a statement.
"Michael was a wonderful man, brilliant, funny and generous. A light has gone out in my life," said his wife, who married Winner two years ago but had known him for half a century.
Winner's film career spanned more than 50 years and he worked with major stars including Marlon Brando, Robert Mitchum and Faye Dunaway.
But his biggest hit remained Death Wish, in which a liberal architect played by late actor Charles Bronson becomes a vigilante following the murder of his wife and rape of his daughter. He also directed two sequels.
In later years Winner reinvented himself as a restaurant critic for Rupert Murdoch's Sunday Times newspaper.
His weekly column Winner's Dinners invariably featured a photograph of Winner posing with restaurant staff or his famous friends in exotic locations, alongside his outspoken opinions on the food.
Winner also became something of a cult figure after his catchphrase in a television advertisement for car insurance - "Calm down, dear" - was used by Prime Minister David Cameron in reference to a female opponent in parliament.
But he also took part in charitable work and established a memorial trust for police officers following the murder of female police constable Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984.
Until November last year he was also a frequent user of Twitter, on which he described himself as "a totally insane film director, writer, producer, silk shirt cleaner, bad tempered, totally ridiculous example of humanity in deep shit."
His health declined in recent years after he acquired a bacterial infection from an oyster in Barbados in 2007 and he was admitted to hospital in late 2011 with food poisoning from steak tartare.
In 2012 he said in an interview with The Times that he had carried out research into the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland regarding assisted suicide after liver specialists said he had as little as 18 months to live.
"I'm very happy to snuff it. I've had enough time on earth. I'd be happy if someone gave me the plug to pull," he said.
iafrica-com | entertainment | celeb news | 'Death Wish' director dies
Winner had been ill for some time and after a spell in hospital last year died at his home in the upscale west London district of Kensington, Geraldine Winner said in a statement.
"Michael was a wonderful man, brilliant, funny and generous. A light has gone out in my life," said his wife, who married Winner two years ago but had known him for half a century.
Winner's film career spanned more than 50 years and he worked with major stars including Marlon Brando, Robert Mitchum and Faye Dunaway.
But his biggest hit remained Death Wish, in which a liberal architect played by late actor Charles Bronson becomes a vigilante following the murder of his wife and rape of his daughter. He also directed two sequels.
In later years Winner reinvented himself as a restaurant critic for Rupert Murdoch's Sunday Times newspaper.
His weekly column Winner's Dinners invariably featured a photograph of Winner posing with restaurant staff or his famous friends in exotic locations, alongside his outspoken opinions on the food.
Winner also became something of a cult figure after his catchphrase in a television advertisement for car insurance - "Calm down, dear" - was used by Prime Minister David Cameron in reference to a female opponent in parliament.
But he also took part in charitable work and established a memorial trust for police officers following the murder of female police constable Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984.
Until November last year he was also a frequent user of Twitter, on which he described himself as "a totally insane film director, writer, producer, silk shirt cleaner, bad tempered, totally ridiculous example of humanity in deep shit."
His health declined in recent years after he acquired a bacterial infection from an oyster in Barbados in 2007 and he was admitted to hospital in late 2011 with food poisoning from steak tartare.
In 2012 he said in an interview with The Times that he had carried out research into the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland regarding assisted suicide after liver specialists said he had as little as 18 months to live.
"I'm very happy to snuff it. I've had enough time on earth. I'd be happy if someone gave me the plug to pull," he said.
iafrica-com | entertainment | celeb news | 'Death Wish' director dies
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2006/12/07
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Pennsylvania — The state's top Republican senators have asked Gov. Tom Corbett to make it clear that the Pennsylvania Lottery cannot compete with casinos through online gambling, and they warned that they may pursue legislation to cement that prohibition.
For months, casino owners have been quiet about Corbett's politically charged plans to allow the scope of lottery gambling to expand in Pennsylvania under the guidance of a private management firm.
But the senators, including President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County and Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County, now say they want the private manager's contract rewritten to prohibit interactive video games or simulated slot machines or table games, even if there are no plans for such games.
British lottery operator Camelot Global Services has been vague about its plans to introduce online access to lottery games, and the agreement caps the number of keno outlets, such as bars and restaurants, at 3,000. Keno is a number-picking game in which players are able to participate every few minutes by filling out a card and watching numbers on a video monitor.
The worry, Scarnati said in an interview Tuesday, is the "bleeding into casino-land gambling."
The senators are waiting to see the administration's response before they begin to draft legislation, Scarnati said. They also need more information about Camelot's plans and the guidelines the Corbett administration has set for the firm, Scarnati said.
"There is a concern that the contract would allow Camelot Gaming or its subcontractors to expand the lottery from what is generally considered to be 'keno' and provide unlimited types of Internet and monitor-based interactive games," the senators wrote in a letter delivered to Corbett's office last week. "Not only is this a broader expansion of gambling than has been described, but these games will directly compete against our highly regulated casinos."
Last week, the Corbett administration finalized a 20- to 30-year contract with Camelot to manage the state-owned lottery. The governor's office did not say Tuesday whether Corbett, a Republican, would seek to rewrite the contract with Camelot. In a statement, it said he is committed to a cautious approach to the introduction of any new games that are legally allowed.
"We are confident that Camelot shares the same commitment," the administration said.
It also said Camelot's management agreement does not include video poker, video poker-like games or video lottery terminals.
The deal has drawn heavy criticism from Democratic lawmakers, a lawsuit from the union that represents state lottery employees and a warning from Democratic state Treasurer Rob McCord that he may not approve payments to Camelot if he is not convinced that its plans to expand gambling are legal.
In the letter, the senators said their concerns escalated after watching testimony at a Jan. 14 Senate Finance Committee hearing on the matter and reading through recently released documents about the management agreement with Camelot.
Also signing the letter were Majority Whip Pat Browne of Lehigh County and Sens. Robert Tomlinson of Bucks County and Kim Ward of Westmoreland County.
Senators want casino-style online gambling off-limits to Pennsylvania Lottery
For months, casino owners have been quiet about Corbett's politically charged plans to allow the scope of lottery gambling to expand in Pennsylvania under the guidance of a private management firm.
But the senators, including President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County and Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County, now say they want the private manager's contract rewritten to prohibit interactive video games or simulated slot machines or table games, even if there are no plans for such games.
British lottery operator Camelot Global Services has been vague about its plans to introduce online access to lottery games, and the agreement caps the number of keno outlets, such as bars and restaurants, at 3,000. Keno is a number-picking game in which players are able to participate every few minutes by filling out a card and watching numbers on a video monitor.
The worry, Scarnati said in an interview Tuesday, is the "bleeding into casino-land gambling."
The senators are waiting to see the administration's response before they begin to draft legislation, Scarnati said. They also need more information about Camelot's plans and the guidelines the Corbett administration has set for the firm, Scarnati said.
"There is a concern that the contract would allow Camelot Gaming or its subcontractors to expand the lottery from what is generally considered to be 'keno' and provide unlimited types of Internet and monitor-based interactive games," the senators wrote in a letter delivered to Corbett's office last week. "Not only is this a broader expansion of gambling than has been described, but these games will directly compete against our highly regulated casinos."
Last week, the Corbett administration finalized a 20- to 30-year contract with Camelot to manage the state-owned lottery. The governor's office did not say Tuesday whether Corbett, a Republican, would seek to rewrite the contract with Camelot. In a statement, it said he is committed to a cautious approach to the introduction of any new games that are legally allowed.
"We are confident that Camelot shares the same commitment," the administration said.
It also said Camelot's management agreement does not include video poker, video poker-like games or video lottery terminals.
The deal has drawn heavy criticism from Democratic lawmakers, a lawsuit from the union that represents state lottery employees and a warning from Democratic state Treasurer Rob McCord that he may not approve payments to Camelot if he is not convinced that its plans to expand gambling are legal.
In the letter, the senators said their concerns escalated after watching testimony at a Jan. 14 Senate Finance Committee hearing on the matter and reading through recently released documents about the management agreement with Camelot.
Also signing the letter were Majority Whip Pat Browne of Lehigh County and Sens. Robert Tomlinson of Bucks County and Kim Ward of Westmoreland County.
Senators want casino-style online gambling off-limits to Pennsylvania Lottery
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2006/12/07
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A Mississippi lawmaker is trying again to pass his Internet gaming bill, just like he said he would. The plan could bring fully legal online poker to the Magnolia State.
Rep. Bobby Moak told Card Player in March 2012, not long after his three-week old web gaming bill hit the muck, that he would eventually bring up the issue again.
House Bill No. 254, also known as Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2013, would authorize the state’s Gaming Commission to issue “permits” to existing gaming licensees. The state would also be charged with regulating the new industry.
With 30 commercial casinos, Mississippi is already one of the nation’s most gambling-friendly states. Its gaming taxes are also some of the lowest. Running Internet games would cost casinos within the state five percent of gross revenue on the new business, per month.
While brick-and-mortar play is subject to an additional tax imposed by the municipality where the casino is located, Internet gaming would be excluded from this provision.
“For a small state we have done pretty well in the gaming industry,” Moak said last year. “We have been viewed as somewhat of a leader because we are close to the Nevada [gaming] statutes and to some degree New Jersey. Small states like Mississippi that are really heavy in the industry need to get out in front on issues like this.”
“It is going to happen,” he added. “It is coming.”
Moak wasn’t immediately reachable Tuesday for comment on his latest attempt at a bill.
While Moak’s plan was just resurrected, other states have made progress toward their own venture into the online realm. Nevada is close to kicking off its own intrastate online poker industry, an online gaming bill was still in the governor of New Jersey’s hands as of Tuesday and some in California are looking to continue the fight.
In addition to Nevada, Delaware has legalized real-money wagering on the web.
Mississippi Online Gambling Effort Resurrected
Rep. Bobby Moak told Card Player in March 2012, not long after his three-week old web gaming bill hit the muck, that he would eventually bring up the issue again.
House Bill No. 254, also known as Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2013, would authorize the state’s Gaming Commission to issue “permits” to existing gaming licensees. The state would also be charged with regulating the new industry.
With 30 commercial casinos, Mississippi is already one of the nation’s most gambling-friendly states. Its gaming taxes are also some of the lowest. Running Internet games would cost casinos within the state five percent of gross revenue on the new business, per month.
While brick-and-mortar play is subject to an additional tax imposed by the municipality where the casino is located, Internet gaming would be excluded from this provision.
“For a small state we have done pretty well in the gaming industry,” Moak said last year. “We have been viewed as somewhat of a leader because we are close to the Nevada [gaming] statutes and to some degree New Jersey. Small states like Mississippi that are really heavy in the industry need to get out in front on issues like this.”
“It is going to happen,” he added. “It is coming.”
Moak wasn’t immediately reachable Tuesday for comment on his latest attempt at a bill.
While Moak’s plan was just resurrected, other states have made progress toward their own venture into the online realm. Nevada is close to kicking off its own intrastate online poker industry, an online gaming bill was still in the governor of New Jersey’s hands as of Tuesday and some in California are looking to continue the fight.
In addition to Nevada, Delaware has legalized real-money wagering on the web.
Mississippi Online Gambling Effort Resurrected
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2006/12/07
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BML Group Ltd operates Bettson Group’s Sportsbook, Casino, Poker, Games, Scratch cards and Bingo, product offerings using a licences granted by the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority under its Remote Gaming Regulations. Now operating within the regulated Danish market Play’n GO has announced recently that Betsson Group is live with Play’n GO casino games for internet and mobile applications. Betsafe one of the Bettson group’s web locations will offer the games in the Danish market. Business Development Director at Play’n GO, Robert Skogh, commented on the launch, “We recently started to deploy our games to various sites within the Betsson group with promising result. We are confident that our games will be well received by the players on the Danish market as well”
Play’n GO is a gaming specialist and leading developer of smart systems and content especially designed for performance on mobile phones, tablets, game terminals and websites. Play’n GO independent E-gaming Platform – EGP delivered with a complete and comprehensive back-office gives operators a unique foundation to tailor their offerings. Play’n GO is a trusted business partner, ensuring its clients are equipped with superior back-office administration tools for surveillance & marketing in addition to premium gaming content. Product Director at Betsson also commented on the arrangement with Play’n GO, “Since adding Play’n GO games to our .com portfolio we have been impressed with the results and extending this offering to the Danish market is a natural step in our partnership.”
If playing poker online is your thing players are well aware that its important to have the liquidity of plenty of opponents. Betsson has 18 million poker players in the biggest poker network in the world. There are tournaments and cash games played around the clock, starting all the time, to suit all levels of ability. More games are expected to launch soon at the Bettson Danish web location.
Bettson Chooses Play
Play’n GO is a gaming specialist and leading developer of smart systems and content especially designed for performance on mobile phones, tablets, game terminals and websites. Play’n GO independent E-gaming Platform – EGP delivered with a complete and comprehensive back-office gives operators a unique foundation to tailor their offerings. Play’n GO is a trusted business partner, ensuring its clients are equipped with superior back-office administration tools for surveillance & marketing in addition to premium gaming content. Product Director at Betsson also commented on the arrangement with Play’n GO, “Since adding Play’n GO games to our .com portfolio we have been impressed with the results and extending this offering to the Danish market is a natural step in our partnership.”
If playing poker online is your thing players are well aware that its important to have the liquidity of plenty of opponents. Betsson has 18 million poker players in the biggest poker network in the world. There are tournaments and cash games played around the clock, starting all the time, to suit all levels of ability. More games are expected to launch soon at the Bettson Danish web location.
Bettson Chooses Play
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
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Real-money gambling start-up Betable has appointed former Zynga exec Jonathan Flesher as its new executive VP of business development.
As reported by TechCrunch, Flesher will be responsible for signing developers to the company’s services, pushing licensing forward in territories outside of the US and forming strategic partnerships.
Betable lets developers add real-money gambling to their titles, although due to current regulations this cannot be used in the US at the moment. The platform can however be used in countries such as the UK on iOS and Android.
Flesher said developers that stick to just virtual currency and don't adopt real-money gambling in future will get left behind in a potentially more lucrative market.
“We’re seeing a convergence between the free-to-play social gaming world and online gambling world,” he said.